Alon Levy
Recent Posts
That MIT Study About the Subway Causing COVID Spread is Crap
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Alon Levy analyzed the report fully and concluded that it was not "a serious argument."
Op-Ed: What America Gets Wrong about Fare Evasion
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Fare enforcement should be done with proof of payment alone, by unarmed civilian inspectors, as in Berlin. Some people will learn to dodge the inspectors, as is the case in Berlin, and that’s fine; the point is not to get fare evasion to 0 percent, but to the minimum level net of enforcement costs.
The Transit Riding Habit Can Last a Lifetime, But First You Need to Get People in the Habit
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While the habit formation effect is real, it is not, unfortunately, very large.
Charlie Baker’s Transit Policy Isn’t About What’s Best for Boston — It’s About His Image
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Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has carefully cultivated the image of a business-minded Republican intent on running government more efficiently. But when it comes to transit, Baker's spending priorities are not consistent with his pragmatic persona.
What American Commuter Rail Can Learn From Paris, Part 2
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In Europe it's common for regional rail systems to get ridership comparable to that of the subway in the central city. But in America, this is unheard of. One reason for the discrepancy is land use: American commuter rail stations are typically surrounded by parking, while in the Paris region you see a different pattern with ample development next to suburban train stations.
What American Commuter Rail Can Learn From Paris
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In the U.S., regional rail is mostly good for one type of trip: the commute. But in Paris, regional rail is oriented toward all types of trips, and people ride throughout the day, not just at rush hour. One key to success is running frequent, predictable service all day long.
Why Infrastructure Costs May Rise Thanks to Trump’s Cronyism
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Donald Trump plans to spend a trillion dollars on America’s infrastructure. Such spending has tantalizing potential to promote long-term growth — or to facilitate immense corruption and waste, on a scale not previously seen in the U.S. Which of the two is likelier? The answer must be the latter: Trump’s actions suggest that cost-effective construction is his […]